Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Bryce Mitchell Set for Bantamweight Debut Against Said Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi

Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

UFC Abu Dhabi, scheduled for July 26, 2025, at Etihad Arena, is shaping up as a major event in the promotion’s 2025 calendar. The event is headlined by a middleweight clash between Robert Whittaker and Reiner de Riddler, and the card will also feature a mix of established fighters and rising contenders including Shara Magomedov vs Marc-Andre Barriault for a middleweight bout, Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov for a light heavyweight fight, and many more. Abu Dhabi has continued to host high-profile fights, and this will not be any different than the previous events that have taken place there.

A new matchup has now been added to the July 26 card, and it is already being called some of the most random matchups that the UFC fans have seen this year. Bryce Mitchell has now transitioned from featherweight and will take on Said Nurmagomedov in a bantamweight debut. The fight will unfold in Abu Dhabi’s iconic venue and will add more to the already stacked event.

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Also Read: UFC 318 Gets New High Profile Featherweight Bout!

Bryce Mitchell’s Bantamweight Debut Against Said Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi

Bryce Mitchell, aka ‘Thug Nasty,’ is set to make his bantamweight debut against Said Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2025. This fight at Etihad Arena will mark Mitchell’s first fight outside the United States, dropping down from 145 featherweight division to the 135 bantamweight division. Nurmagomedov, first off, is not related to Khabib nor Umar Nurmagomedov to remove any confusion. He currently holds a 18-4 record with 4 knockouts and 6 submission wins so far. Mitchell comes in with a 17-4 record and aims to bounce back from a loss against Jean Silva at UFC 314. Mitchell was 2-3 in his last fights, which might have prompted the division switch.

🚨FIGHT NEWS🚨

Bryce Mitchell will be moving DOWN to bantamweight to take on Said Nurmagomedov on July 26th at #UFCAbuDhabi

(Per @RedCorner_MMA ) pic.twitter.com/QibRFndFPP
— Combat Casuals (@Combat_Casuals) June 4, 2025

Nurmagomedov is also coming off of a loss against Vinicius Oliveira at UFC Fight Night in February 2025, his second defeat in his last three fights after a four fight win streak. Mitchell’s move to bantamweight has now shifted his focus from featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski to bantamweight title holder Merab Dvalishvili, who will defend his title against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316. A win could help Mitchell enter the top-15 ranking in the division with other contenders like Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen. The July 26 event, headlined by Whittaker’s fight, has a lot at stake for Mitchell who is brand new to the bantamweight division.

Also Read: MMA Analyst Gives His Raw Take On Kayla Harrison Cutting To 135 Pounds

Bryce Mitchell

Said Nurmagomedov

UFC

UFC Abu Dhabi

Eric Divakaran

nba

nfl

mma

I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.